Edinburgh Rugby welcome the return of Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham and Hamish Watson for tomorrow night’s BKT United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (Friday 25 April, kick-off 7.35pm BST/8.35pm local) – live on Premier Sports.
The duo – rested for last weekend’s match against Hollywoodbets Sharks – start as two of six personnel changes for the match-up which has been rescheduled due to the funeral of Pope Francis.
Pro-academy winger Jack Brown is handed his first professional start after an impressive showing from the bench against Sharks, replacing the injured Ross McCann (foot) on the wing.
Boan Venter takes the place of the rested Pierre Schoeman at loosehead prop as Paddy Harrison replaces the injured Ewan Ashman (shoulder) at hooker.
In the second row, Glen Young comes in for co-captain Grant Gilchrist, who is named as a replacement.
With Jamie Ritchie also rested, Ben Muncaster moves to blindside flanker, allowing the returning British & Irish Lion Watson to reclaim the number 7 jersey.
Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “This is a really important fixture for us as we look to bounce back from the Sharks game. We know Zebre are a talented side, and they’ve shown they can be very strong at home.
“It’s vital that we go to Parma and maintain momentum as we enter the business end of the campaign. The return of Darcy and Hamish is a real boost, and we’re excited to see Jack get his first start after his impressive impact last weekend.”
Harry Paterson is named at full-back with Wes Goosen (back) unavailable through injury, as Graham and Brown start on opposite wings.
Matt Currie, back in his familiar outside-centre role after featuring on the wing against the Sharks, partners James Lang in midfield. Lang heads into the match in fine form, having scored three tries in his last two appearances for the capital club.
Stand-off Ross Thompson and scrum-half Ali Price continue at half-back.
Up front, Harrison gets the nod at hooker, packing down alongside props Venter and D’arcy Rae.
Locks Sam Skinner and Young combine in the second-row as number 8 Magnus Bradbury – named captain – anchors the back-row.
Edinburgh Rugby team to face Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 25 April (kick-off 7.35pm BST/ 8.35pm local) – live on Premier Sports
15. Harry Paterson (13)
14. Darcy Graham (78)
13. Matt Currie (59)
12. James Lang (71)
11. Jack Brown (2)
10. Ross Thompson (21)
9. Ali Price (36)
1. Boan Venter (87)
2. Paddy Harrison (28)
3. D’arcy Rae (22)
4. Glen Young (47)
5. Sam Skinner (39)
6. Ben Muncaster (43)
7. Hamish Watson (174)
8. Magnus Bradbury (129) CAPTAIN
Replacements
16. Harri Morris (4)
17. Robin Hislop (29)
18. Angus Williams (28)
19. Grant Gilchrist (218)
20. Freddy Douglas (6)
21. Charlie Shiel (70)
22. Cammy Scott (17)
23. Mosese Tuipulotu (18)
Unavailable: Ewan Ashman (shoulder), Emiliano Boffellli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Robert Carmichael (wrist), Dave Cherry (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Tom Dodd (shoulder), Wes Goosen (back), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Paul Hill (back), Ross McCann (foot), Jamie Ritchie (rest), Javan Sebastian (concussion), Pierre Schoeman (rest), Matt Scott (neck), Marshall Sykes (foot), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Ben Vellacott (foot), Lewis Wells (ankle).
Alley Frog
The Barbarians, a prestigious invitational rugby team, is comprised of players from various nations. Founded in 1890, the Barbarians have no home ground or stadium and play their matches at various locations around the world.
Mechani-Man
Rugby was originally called something else entirely – If historians are to be believed, the game we now know as rugby was initially played over 2,000 years ago by the Romans. The game was known by the Latin name Harpastum, derived from the Greek term for seize, which seems rather apt given the aim of the game.